859B.7962/98
Memorandum of Conversation, by the Assistant Secretary of State (Berle)
The Danish Minister came in to see me at his request.
He said that following the attempt made by the Government in Denmark to recall him, the Counselor, Mr. Blechingberg, had finally determined that he must obey the orders of Copenhagen. He would, therefore, try to present himself as Chargé d’Affaires although he knew he would not be received as such. Under these circumstances [Page 58] there was nothing to do but to inform the State Department that Mr. Blechingberg was no longer Counselor of the Danish Legation. He presented me with a note to that effect.
He likewise said that under the regulations of the Danish diplomatic service the officials of the Legation and of the Consulates were obliged to follow his instructions which, of course, in this case Mr. Blechingberg was not doing.
I said that we would, of course, recognize the fact that under these circumstances Mr. Blechingberg not only was not Chargé but that he had ceased to be Counselor of the Legation.
I told the Minister what we knew about the general reaction to the Greenland Agreement in Denmark. I told him that there had been an order of custodianship issued in respect of his property there. I asked whether he had any close relatives in Denmark.
The Minister said he had not; only some cousins. Even the property referred to consisted of some securities. He was, therefore, not under any great pressure from that side.
He said that he was having the Danish consuls in the United States meet with him some time this week.